JP2777549B2 - Disk drive device and actuator locking method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a disk drive device and an actuator locking method, and more particularly, to a method of damaging the surface of an actuator or a recording medium in a drive device due to vibration or shock during non-operation or transportation. The present invention relates to a locking structure and a method of preventing an actuator.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An actuator provided inside a hard disk drive device such as a magnetic disk device,
A large number of precision components such as optical devices and electronic circuits are mounted, and a mechanism that can move at high speed in the radial direction of the disk is provided. Therefore, when the device is transported or not operated, the actuator is locked at a predetermined position, thereby preventing the device from being damaged by an external impact.

[0003] The durability of the device against such an impact, that is, the impact resistance, is one of the performances required for the disk drive device. In particular, as the downsizing and portability of the device have progressed, such a drive device has come to be mounted on a small portable personal computer. Therefore, the demand for the shock resistance of the hard disk drive device is also increasing. In general, external shocks when carrying a large shock in a short time,
Also, the direction in which the impact is applied is not limited to one direction, and may be applied from all directions including the vertical direction. Therefore, when the drive device is not operated, a large shock applied for a short time and such a rotation
There is an increasing demand for improved impact resistance to (Rotational) impact.

Conventionally, as a technique relating to a proposed lock mechanism, Japanese Patent Application No. 3-294882 has already been filed. In this prior art, a disk recording medium, a conversion head for exchanging information with the recording medium, an actuator for moving the conversion head to a predetermined position on the recording medium, and a part of the actuator are provided. There is disclosed a hard disk drive including a magnet for attracting an iron piece by a magnetic field and latching the iron piece at a predetermined position. This prior art further discloses that a coil for releasing the head is provided, and a current is applied to the coil to generate a magnetic force to release the fixing of the actuator.

However, this prior art has a relatively high impact resistance against an impact in the direction of the surface of the recording medium, that is, in the same direction as the moving direction of the actuator, but has a large impact and a vertical Low impact resistance against rotational impact with added direction.

Another prior art is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. Hei.
273511 has already been filed. In this prior art, when a disk cartridge inserted into an information reproducing apparatus is moved to a reproducing position by a slider bracket, the actuator is fixed by moving a latch member up and down using a cam mechanism having gears. Is disclosed.

However, this prior art has a relatively high impact resistance against the above-mentioned impact,
Since the latch member is moved by the cam mechanism, the latch mechanism becomes relatively large. Therefore, since there is a limit to miniaturization of an apparatus having such a mechanical mechanism, it is not suitable for mounting on a small and portable personal computer.

Further, when such a mechanical mechanism is used, dust may be generated due to friction of gears of the cam mechanism. Particularly, in a magnetic disk drive or the like having a high hermeticity, it is necessary to prevent dust from adhering to a recording medium. Therefore, it is not preferable to provide a mechanical mechanism for generating such dust inside the apparatus.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a disk drive device having a locking mechanism which has a high shock resistance, especially a strong shock against a large shock applied in a short time and a rotational shock, and an actuator of the disk drive device. The purpose is to provide a locking method.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a small and lightweight lock mechanism without using a mechanical lock mechanism which may generate dust and the like.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a disk recording medium, an actuator which moves on the surface of the disk recording medium, and an actuator which can move up and down. Locking means for fixing the actuator and releasing the actuator when it is on the lower side, first magnetic force supplying means for fixing the locking means on the lower side by a first magnetic force, and second magnetic force A second magnetic field supply unit for fixing the lock unit on the upper side; and a first magnetic field generating a magnetic force for moving the lock unit upward when the first current is supplied, the second magnetic field supply unit being different from the first current. And a means for generating a magnetic force to move the lock means downward when the current of 2 is supplied.

Here, the lock means includes a spring having elasticity, and the lock means is fixed to the upper side by the stress of the spring and the magnetic force of the second magnetic field supply means. preferable.

Another aspect of the present invention is a process using an actuator that moves on the surface of a disk recording medium, a process using a lock means that can move up and down and fixes or releases the actuator, and A step of fixing the locking means to the lower side by a magnetic force, a step of moving the actuator to a predetermined lock position, and a step of supplying a first current, so that the first magnetic force is larger than the first magnetic force.
A step of generating a magnetic force in a direction opposite to the first magnetic force to move the locking means upward, and a step of locking the locking means upward by the second magnetic force to lock the actuator. And supplying a second current different from the first current to generate a magnetic force that is greater than the second magnetic force and opposite to the second magnetic force, and moves the locking means downward. Releasing the actuator by moving the actuator.

Further, another aspect of the present invention is a step of using an actuator that moves on the surface of the disk recording medium, and a step of using a locking means for fixing or releasing the actuator, which includes an elastic spring movable up and down and having elasticity. Fixing the locking means to the lower side by a first magnetic force that is larger than the upward stress of the spring and is downward, moves the actuator to a predetermined locking position, and supplies a first current. Accordingly, a step of generating an upward magnetic force that is larger than the difference between the magnitude of the first magnetic force and the magnitude of the stress of the spring and moving the lock means upward, and the step of locking the spring by the upward stress of the spring. Securing the means on the upper side, thereby locking the actuator, and supplying a second current, different from the first current, thereby providing a spring Greater than the force, and generates a downward magnetic force by moving the locking means to the lower, to provide an actuator of the lock method and a step of releasing said actuator.

[0015] It is preferable that the actuator is fixed by applying a magnetic force in a direction parallel to the surface of the disk recording medium.

[0016]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a magnetic disk drive device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The magnetic disk drive device 1 includes a magnetic disk recording medium 3 housed in a housing 2, a spin motor 4 for driving the recording medium 3 to rotate, and a conversion head 5 for a desired one of the disk recording medium 3. And an actuator 6 for positioning the actuator. The actuator 6 is a rotary voice coil motor (VCM), and has an actuator arm 8 rotatably mounted around a rotation axis 7.
The conversion head 5 is attached to one end of the actuator arm 8, and the coil 9 is attached to the other end. The actuator arm 8 is made of aluminum, and the projection 10 integrally provided on the other end side has an iron piece 11
Is attached. A permanent magnet 12 is provided in the housing 2 so as to face the iron piece 11. A permanent magnet 13 of the VCM is mounted on the housing 2 within the movement range of the coil 9 of the actuator 6, and interacts with the coil 9 to rotate the actuator arm 8 around the rotation axis 7.

When the rotation of the magnetic disk 3 drops when the magnetic disk drive 1 is stopped, the actuator arm 8 is moved to a parking zone provided on the inner peripheral side. Then, the iron piece 11 is attracted to the magnet 12, so that the actuator arm 8 moves in the inner circumferential direction of the recording medium 3 and is fixed. That is, the magnet 12 applies a magnetic force in a direction parallel to the surface of the recording medium 3 to lock the actuator arm 8.

Further, although not shown, the magnetic disk drive 1 is provided with a lock means and a solenoid coil. The locking means is movable in a direction different from the surface direction of the recording medium 3, that is, in a vertical direction with respect to the recording medium 3, and is for fixing or releasing the actuator. A current is applied to the solenoid coil, and the locking means is moved up and down by the generated electromagnetic force. When the actuator arm 8 moves to the parking zone, the locking means moves upward by the solenoid coil and engages with the actuator arm 8, so that the arm 8 is fixed.

In such a state, the actuator arm 8 can be effectively fixed even when a large impact is applied from the outside in a short time and the impact is rotational. That is, since the actuator is fixed not only in a direction parallel to the surface of the recording medium 3 (horizontal direction) but also in a direction different from the surface direction of the recording medium 3, the actuator is resistant to rotational impact. Is expensive. Therefore, the data in the data zone on the recording medium 3 is protected from unexpected movement of the actuator arm 8. This will be described in more detail below.

FIG. 2 to FIG. 5 are enlarged side views of an actuator portion in one embodiment of the present invention. The actuator 21 is moved by a VCM magnet 22 and two upper and lower VCM yokes 23 and 24. When the actuator 21 is located in the parking zone, a leaf spring 25 having elasticity is provided so as to vertically engage the actuator. The leaf spring 25 has an upward stress, and moves up and down according to the plunger 26. A magnet 27 as first magnetic field supply means having a first magnetic force is disposed below the iron plunger 26, and a second magnet having a second magnetic force is provided above the plunger 26.
A VCM yoke 23 as a magnetic field supply means is disposed. The magnet 27 fixes the leaf spring 25 to the lower side by the first magnetic force. That is, the leaf spring 24 has a downward magnetic force greater than the upward stress. Further, the VCM yoke 23 attracts and fixes the leaf spring 25 upward by the second magnetic force. This fixing utilizes not only the magnetic force of the VCM yoke 23 but also the stress of the leaf spring 25. Further, a solenoid coil 28 is provided, and a magnetic field is generated by an applied current to move the leaf spring 25 up and down via the plunger 26.

That is, when the first current is supplied, the solenoid coil 28 generates a magnetic force to push up the plunger 26 to move the leaf spring 25 upward. When a second current different from the first current is supplied, a magnetic force is generated to push down the plunger 26 to move the leaf spring 25 downward.

Next, a method for locking the actuator will be described.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the unlocked state. The plunger 26 is drawn toward the magnet 27 by the first magnetic force of the magnet 27.
Since the leaf spring 25 is pressed down by the plunger 26, the leaf spring 25 is fixed at a height that does not hinder the movement of the actuator 21. In this state, no current flows through the solenoid coil 28.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a state during the transition from the unlocked state to the locked state. The actuator 21 is moved to a predetermined lock position. That is, a first current that is larger than the difference between the magnitude of the first magnetic force of the magnet 27 and the magnitude of the stress of the spring and that generates an upward magnetic force is supplied to the solenoid coil 28. When a first current that cancels such a force of the magnet 27 flows, the leaf spring 25 moves to a height at which the actuator 21 can be locked.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing the locked state. The actuator 21 is caught by the leaf spring 25 and cannot move in the direction toward the data zone. Also,
In the opposite direction, a stopper (Crash Stop) can move only to a predetermined position. At this time, the upward stress of the leaf spring 25 and the second magnetic force of the VCM yoke 23 are set to values that can withstand the shock applied when the device is carried. Thus, the leaf spring 25 is fixed on the upper side. In this state, no current flows through the solenoid coil 28.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a state during the transition from the locked state to the unlocked state. By supplying a second current different from the first current to the solenoid coil 28, the stress of the leaf spring 25 and the VCM yoke 2
3 generates a magnetic force that is larger than the sum of the second magnetic force and the second magnetic force and a direction opposite to the second magnetic force and moves the leaf spring 25 downward to release the actuator. I have.

In this embodiment, since a lightweight leaf spring is used, the actuator can be effectively locked even when a short-term large impact is applied.
That is, the actuator is heavy when subjected to a strong external impact when it is carried, so that the actuator may move only by horizontal fixing by the interaction between the iron piece 11 and the magnet 12. In this embodiment, a light and small leaf spring which is hardly affected by an impact is used in the vertical direction, so that the actuator can be securely fixed by a small lock mechanism.

In the above embodiment, a resilient leaf spring is used as the locking means. However, the locking means is not limited to a leaf spring, and may be a non-resilient one.

In this case, in the state where the state is shifted from the unlocked state to the locked state (the state shown in FIG. 3), the first magnetic force by the magnet 27 is larger than the first magnetic force, and is opposite to the first magnetic force. , And the locking means is moved upward.

In the locked state (the state shown in FIG. 4), the locking means is fixed on the upper side by the second magnetic force of the VCM yoke.

In the state of transition from the locked state to the unlocked state (state in FIG. 5), the second magnetic force is supplied to the solenoid coil 28 by supplying a second current different from the first current. The actuator 21 is released by generating a larger magnetic force in the direction opposite to the second magnetic force and moving the locking means downward.

According to the present invention, since the lock mechanism is formed by using a magnetic mechanism that does not easily generate dust and the like, it is particularly suitable for a closed type device such as a magnetic disk which does not want dust to enter the inside of the device. It is valid.

In the present embodiment, in the locked state and the unlocked state, it is not necessary to supply a driving current to the solenoid coil, and it is sufficient to supply the driving current only in a state where the state is changing. Therefore, there is also an advantage that no electric current is required during non-operation such as operation and transportation.

In this embodiment, the upper VCM
Although the yoke is used as the magnetic field supply means, the lower VCM yoke may also be used as the magnetic field supply means, which eliminates the need for a magnet and has the effect of making the lock mechanism smaller. Further, magnets may be provided instead of the upper and lower VCM yokes.

In the above-described embodiment, the actuator is fixed to the upper side by using not only the elastic leaf spring but also the VCM yoke. This is because the locking means can be more securely fixed because of the possibility of being added. Therefore, it is also possible to lock the actuator only by the stress of the strong elastic leaf spring without using the VCM yoke or the magnet on the upper side as the second magnetic field supply means.

[0036]

As described above, according to the present invention, the recording medium
Since the lock mechanism is used in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, high impact resistance can be obtained even with a rotational impact or a short-time large impact. Also, since no mechanical mechanism is used in the vertical latch, dust and the like are not easily generated inside the device, so that a highly reliable device such as a magnetic disk drive device that requires high hermeticity can be obtained. Nature can be secured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a magnetic disk drive device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view showing an unlocked state;

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a state in which the state is shifted from an unlocked state to a locked state;

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a locked state;

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a state in the middle of shifting from a locked state to an unlocked state.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Housing 4 Spin motor 6 Actuator 7 Rotation axis 8 Actuator arm 11 Iron piece 12 Magnet 21 Actuator 22 VCM magnet 23, 24 VCM yoke 25 Leaf spring 26 Plunger 27 Magnet 28 Solenoid coil

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Takahashi 1 Kirihara-cho, Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa Japan, IBM Japan, Ltd. Fujisawa office (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G11B 21/00

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. A disk recording medium, an actuator moving on the surface of the disk recording medium, and capable of moving up and down, fixing the actuator when it is on the upper side, and fixing the actuator when it is on the lower side A first magnetic field supply means for fixing the lock means on the lower side by a first magnetic force; and a second magnetic field for fixing the lock means on the upper side by a second magnetic force. Supply means, when the first current is supplied, generates a magnetic force larger than the first magnetic force and in a direction opposite to the first magnetic force, so that the lock means is moved upward. And when a second current different from the first current is supplied, a magnetic force greater than the second magnetic force and opposite to the second magnetic force is generated. To let Ri, the disk drive apparatus characterized by comprising a means for moving the locking means on the lower side. 2. The lock device according to claim 1, wherein said lock means includes an elastic spring, and said lock means is fixed to an upper side by a stress of said spring and a magnetic force of said second magnetic field supply means. The disk drive device according to the above. 3. The disk drive device according to claim 1, further comprising: means for applying a magnetic force in a direction parallel to a surface of said disk recording medium to fix said actuator. 4. The disk drive device according to claim 1, wherein said second magnetic field supply means is a voice coil motor. 5. A step of using an actuator which moves on the surface of the disk recording medium; a step of using a lock means capable of moving up and down and fixing or releasing the actuator; A step of fixing the locking means to the lower side; a step of moving the actuator to a predetermined locking position; and a step of supplying a first current so that the first magnetic force is larger than the first magnetic force. Generating a magnetic force in the opposite direction to move the lock means upward; fixing the lock means upward by a second magnetic force to lock the actuator; and Supplying a second current different from the first current to generate a magnetic force greater than the second magnetic force and opposite to the second magnetic force. , By moving the locking means on the lower side, the actuator of the locking method characterized by a step of releasing said actuator. 6. A step of using an actuator that moves on the surface of the disk recording medium, a step of using a locking means for fixing or releasing the actuator, including a spring capable of moving up and down and having elasticity, A step of fixing the locking means to the lower side by a first magnetic force which is larger than the upward stress and downward, and a step of moving the actuator to a predetermined locking position; and supplying a first current. Larger than the difference between the magnitude of the first magnetic force and the magnitude of the stress of the spring;
And generating an upward magnetic force to move the lock means upward; fixing the lock means upward by the upward stress of the spring, thereby locking the actuator; and Releasing the actuator by supplying a second current that is different from the current of the above, generating a downward magnetic force greater than the stress of the spring, and moving the locking means downward. A locking method for an actuator, comprising: 7. The method according to claim 5, further comprising a step of applying a magnetic force in a direction parallel to a surface of the disk recording medium to lock the actuator.